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Boise State University Foundation

The Challenge

In 2006, Boise State began planning an ambitious campaign to support a number of strategic initiatives for students, faculty, academic programs, research, facilities, and athletics. The resulting campaign—Destination Distinction—was the University’s first.

An inaugural campaign presents a number of challenges, as institutions must rapidly build the infrastructure and capacity to sustain extended fundraising. At the outset of the effort, Boise State University set an ambitious goal of $175 million in anticipation of a substantial foundation gift that did not materialize.

Soon afterwards, the effects of the Great Recession dampened donors’ ability to support the campaign and made investments in University Advancement increasingly difficult to secure.

The Process

Campbell & Company collaborated with Boise State Advancement staff to develop an appropriate organizational structure to effectively prepare for and implement the campaign.

With our guidance, the University made a number of strategic hires to support campaign activities at all levels. We assisted staff in creating and implementing policies to guide the day-to-day operations of the campaign, as well as performance expectations for advancement officers and benchmarks for campaign progress.

Ultimately, we helped implement a relationship management system for the University to build mutually fulfilling relationships with its constituents.

During the campaign, we provided best practices training for deans, faculty members, and volunteers to assist them in engaging necessary donors, as well as services dedicated to helping the University develop its case for support.

“The Campbell & Company team were a tremendous help as we built the fundraising capacity to go and make the big asks.”

-Howard Smith, Former Vice President of University Advancement, Boise State University Foundation